Go behind the scenes with former Springbok prop Cobus Visagie as he talks about his time with the Boks in this episode of Front Row Rugby. Hear about his debut, the Rugby World Cup, and his thoughts on Bok coaches, as well as the controversial moment that caused a stir. Don’t miss it!
00:00 Introduction by Peter
00:38 Debut against Italy
01:45 Controversy in Cardiff
06:22 Poor results in 1999
09:18 1999 Rugby World Cup
15:33 Nick Mallett v Harry Viljoen
18:07 Substance abuse & injuries
22:25 Differences with Rudolf Straeuli
24:07 Cobus Visagie’s toughest opponent
25:46 These days
Peter says: I love the Springboks and rugby is one of my favourite sports. Although as a sports journalist I am supposed to remain neutral, I always like to point out that before I became a professional, I was just a big fan! I hold a Masters Degree in International Journalism so at least you know I should be able to ask a good question or two! My dream is to do this YouTube Channel permanently. You can help me out by liking the videos, subscribing to the channel and hitting the notification bell.
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16 Comments
I think it was Uruguay
Gary was not a good player. There is no comparison to the present team
Excellent interview, as usual,
Peter. Research and preparation of the customary high standards and your questions were spot on – incisive but not inappropriately intrusive. Cobus was a great guest – articulate and refreshingly insightful. This channel deserves FAR more eyeballs.
Cobus’s wife and Jacques Burgers wife are cousins.
Great interview – Cobus was a great player !!!
Well done on standing up against Straulie…. respect to a man with principles..
Thank you very much agian…my fav part of Mondays….have a great day and week..can't wait for next Monday..
Gary Techmann was perhaps not the best No. 8 in 1999, but he was the best leader for the Springboks. We had Andrew Aitken retired in 1998,and Bob Skinstad involved in a car crash. We brought Anton Leonard and Andre Vos both debutants to the 99 world cup? It was suicidal. What was Nick Mallet thinking? Why sack your captain when he led the team to 17 tests wins? I think the quota system not only affected the players but affected South Africa as a whole. How many South African players do you see playing in cricket and rugby for England, New Zealand, Australia and Ireland during that era? Kevin Pietersen, Jonathan Trott snd Rathbone to name a few. South Africa as a whole was committing suicide.
thanks Peter, awesome interview with another world class player and tighthead who would have easily made it to the 2007 rwc cup squad had he not left SA, luckily BJ, CJ and Jannie held up the bok scrum just fine.
Uruguay.. Tonderai Chavhanga holds the record for most tries scored in a Bok test match from that game…. unless it's been broken??
Thanks Peter another great interview. I can tell that this not only your career but your passion as well. Cobus pulled no punches, a man of ethics.
Uruguay I think
Cobus, got to say, you think 3 levels below bok coach, I say 100, he was total trash and agreed a disgrace to the brand. And boet Oberhauser equally trash and a disgrace. Sorry to hear how they treated you guys, no surprise you did not go to bat for them. I have a new respect for Mallett, he openly admitted his decision to drop Teich was why we lost 1999 worldcup.
I like how honestly Cobus gives his opinions. Far too often in autobiographies and interviews guys dance around facts we all know to be facts, and don't give us the important details which may explain the history to us. Great interview again!
Best tighthead post 92 we had, in my opinion. Only players near his scrummaging ability were the late Dougie Heymans and Tommie Laubscher.
These former Bok blokes seem so much chilled in retirement , as much as they benefited from Rugby, the game benefited from their skill as well